Is Calais still a cluster****?
Discussion
As per thread title.
I may be going over to France for Xmas and was just wondering if the same fun and games are still ongoing? I don't fancy some tosser trying to get into my car,or throwing a railway sleeper in front of my car as I'm rushing to the ferry.
Any other options? The possible location is near Bordeaux, if this helps?
Ta
I may be going over to France for Xmas and was just wondering if the same fun and games are still ongoing? I don't fancy some tosser trying to get into my car,or throwing a railway sleeper in front of my car as I'm rushing to the ferry.
Any other options? The possible location is near Bordeaux, if this helps?
Ta
I'll let you know in about 10 hours.
However were frequent visitors and haven't seen any bother. Just the odd chap walking along the motorway and some running across it.
You could sail to Dieppe, 4 hour crossing tends to arrive at 5am. Sets you up nicely for Caen, Rennes, Nantes, Bordeaux; Saves you around 300kms.
Sailing to Caen is more expensive.
However were frequent visitors and haven't seen any bother. Just the odd chap walking along the motorway and some running across it.
You could sail to Dieppe, 4 hour crossing tends to arrive at 5am. Sets you up nicely for Caen, Rennes, Nantes, Bordeaux; Saves you around 300kms.
Sailing to Caen is more expensive.
Edited by Simes205 on Saturday 22 October 21:02
It's been variable. I've cross once a month this year. Sometimes there will be 400+ migrants wandering on the hard shoulder and central reservation and other times there will be few.
One thing I would advise is to refuel out of area. I refueled 3 times in petrol stations in the Calais zone and the petrol stations were a nightmare. I can't imagine how the staff/owners can put up with the migrants loitering on the forecourt. Nothing was for sale outside the petrol station and it was all stored inside. There were no gloves or towels in the dispensers at the pumps. It was intimidating refueling and being continuously asked to help someone cross when there was just you, your locked car and 50-60 migrants hanging around watching you.
On one trip 2 years ago we were in a Shogun with tinted rear windows. The migrants were pulling the handles of the doors as we refueled not realising that we had 3 guys in the back who quickly opened the doors and blustered them away.
One thing I would advise is to refuel out of area. I refueled 3 times in petrol stations in the Calais zone and the petrol stations were a nightmare. I can't imagine how the staff/owners can put up with the migrants loitering on the forecourt. Nothing was for sale outside the petrol station and it was all stored inside. There were no gloves or towels in the dispensers at the pumps. It was intimidating refueling and being continuously asked to help someone cross when there was just you, your locked car and 50-60 migrants hanging around watching you.
On one trip 2 years ago we were in a Shogun with tinted rear windows. The migrants were pulling the handles of the doors as we refueled not realising that we had 3 guys in the back who quickly opened the doors and blustered them away.
FN2TypeR said:
If you can use the tunnel, do so.
jamei303 said:
I'd sail from Portsmouth if I were going to Bordeaux, even if I lived in Dover.
Agreed that this makes for an overall more pleasant journey however it is much more expensive and usually slower. The boat from Portsmouth to Caen is around 6 hours, add to that another 2 hours for loading (you are supposed to be at the ferry terminal at least an hour before the sailing) and unloading (it usually takes about an hour after the arrival time until you are off the ferry and moving) giving a crossing tome of 8 hours. Using the tunnel you can reduce this to 1.5-2 hours. You then save 6 hours on the crossing time which will get you a fair way to Bordeaux (probably to Tours) from the tunnel on the French motorways.jogger1976 said:
As per thread title.
I may be going over to France for Xmas and was just wondering if the same fun and games are still ongoing? I don't fancy some tosser trying to get into my car,or throwing a railway sleeper in front of my car as I'm rushing to the ferry.
Any other options? The possible location is near Bordeaux, if this helps?
Ta
We crossed Dover-Dunkerque and back a couple of weeks ago, and didn't see any sign of any problems at all. Not one single person wandering around. The car did get a very cursory check on entering the port, though.I may be going over to France for Xmas and was just wondering if the same fun and games are still ongoing? I don't fancy some tosser trying to get into my car,or throwing a railway sleeper in front of my car as I'm rushing to the ferry.
Any other options? The possible location is near Bordeaux, if this helps?
Ta
Ferry Dover - Calais 3 weeks ago. Heavy security presence on the French side with armed guards checking inside every vehicle and Dover also doing interior checks on everybody on departure too. Quite a long que at passport control on the French side before boarding to return. Fence round the camp is getting longer every time we go and as usual there was several patrols and mobile CCTV vans in the dock area.
Large area of the camp looked like it had been cleared and what was left appeared deserted. Possibility a couple of young lads walking on the road near Cite Europe with bags of shopping may have been from the camp but that's all we saw.
Almost empty ferry on the day we went - I'd guess all the extra security might cause delays when it's busy.
Large area of the camp looked like it had been cleared and what was left appeared deserted. Possibility a couple of young lads walking on the road near Cite Europe with bags of shopping may have been from the camp but that's all we saw.
Almost empty ferry on the day we went - I'd guess all the extra security might cause delays when it's busy.
The french are starting to clear the Jungle tomorrow but I suppose they will just set up camp somewhere close by.
http://www.itv.com/news/2016-10-22/calais-jungle-c...
http://www.itv.com/news/2016-10-22/calais-jungle-c...
I've always exited and entered the port from the town, rather than using the motorway. Never seen an immigrant, never had a hold up, not sure what all the fuss was about. I'd recommend it. Set your sat nav to avoid motorways and you'll be right. Obviously don't blame me if you get killed and eaten, but do remember me in your will.
Good luck.
Good luck.
FrenchSpider said:
FN2TypeR said:
If you can use the tunnel, do so.
Depending where the OP is based in the UK, Dieppe-Newhaven is great for Bx.
k tomorrow ! By Xmas it could be up and coming TooMany2cvs said:
We crossed Dover-Dunkerque and back a couple of weeks ago, and didn't see any sign of any problems at all. Not one single person wandering around. The car did get a very cursory check on entering the port, though.
No-one wants to hang around Dunkerque! Good god, it's grim there!I went Dover Calais on 12th and back on 17th.
Nothing bad occurred.
I did see debris on side of the road from presumably previous nights attempted lorry slowing,this was on the bend from A16 onto port approach road.
My tip,get to Calais in daylight if possible.
Saw no people walking on the motorway.
Nothing bad occurred.
I did see debris on side of the road from presumably previous nights attempted lorry slowing,this was on the bend from A16 onto port approach road.
My tip,get to Calais in daylight if possible.
Saw no people walking on the motorway.
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